05/12/08

For the last two years, the federal government has been gradually turning management of wolves over to wildlife managers in the gem state.

Now, fish and game wants the public to comment on proposed wolf hunting seasons for this fall. One option could begin as soon as the end of august.

Idaho Fish and Game Biologist Regan Berkley says, "You're absolutely right, it's a very political and very emotional issue for a lot of folks, and we very much understand that. And that's why all along the process we've asked for public input when we were revamping the public management plan, which was just completed."

Berkley says the fish and game isn't looking for comments that debate whether or not we should have wolves in Idaho. But she agrees that some residents don't want to see wolves taken off the endangered species list.

"There are some groups that have sued the federal government to prevent delisting and prevent hunting seasons. And it remains to be seen as to what'll happen with these."

Berkley says the proposed total state quota would allow just over 300 wolves to be killed.

She says that would bring the wolf population down to around 600 wolves - which are the numbers projected in the wolf management plan that was approved by private citizens and the fish and game commission.

"May 22nd is when the Commission will be deciding on wolf seasons for this next fall. And so basically folks need to get their comments in, I believe it's a few days ahead of that, just so actually we can put 'em all together. And the commissioners can see exactly what the public input was."

Jay Michaels, KMVT News.